Average date of first frost in Central Florida: December 18

3. Flowers: lemon balm, baby's breath, baconia, begonia, shrub daisy, calendula, California poppy, candytuft, carnation, chrysanthemum, delphinium, dianthus, dusty, foxglove, geranium, geranium, Hollyhock, Iceland poppy, licorice million bells, ornamental cabbage and kale, pansy, petunia, salvia, shasta daisy, snapdragon, statice, stock, sweet peas, verbena and viola.

4. Vegetables: beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, kale, horseradish, lettuce, mustard, onions, peas, chicory, radishes, spinach, Swiss chard and radishes.

5. Herbs: fennel, arugula, basil, bay laurel, chives, coriander, coriander, dill, fennel, garlic, lavender, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram, thyme And watercress.

6. Bulb: African iris, amaryllis, anemone, bulb, white flower, daylily, paper white daffodil, buttercup, social garlic, spider lily, rain lily; refrigerate for future planting-Dutch iris, tulip, daffodil And hyacinth.

7. Good watering and occasional rain help keep the lawn green; continue normal care.

8. Irrigation no more than once a week is the rule in most regions.

9. You can usually use a hand-held hose with an automatic shut-off function to water dry places.

10. The main feeding time of the lawn is over; the next fertilization is in March.

11. Yellowed turf can usually be regreened with iron or a small amount of nutrient spray.

12. Many lawns have major weed areas; remove and add new turf or plugs.

13. Use spot weed control techniques where small weeds can grow well.

14. Most lawn insects are inactive at this time. Large plaques, a disease, can be a big problem.

15. Make sure your watering system uses the right amount of water to wet the soil.

16. Adjust sprinklers to avoid sidewalks, driveways and streets.

17. Prune to maintain proper turf height and control weeds.

18. Use ground cover to replant shady areas that are difficult to trim.

19. It is rarely necessary to cover the lawn, but ryegrass can be sown to temporarily fill the bare areas.

20. Remove the fallen leaves from the lawn and add them to the compost pile.

21. Start transplanting seeds of cold season crops.

22. Most warm-season vegetables have declined; choose to replant them in cooler seasons.

23. Observe the water usage rules; usually micro sprinklers can be used as needed.

24. Planting in cool weather requires less water. Water when the top soil starts to dry.

25. Renew the mulch to save water and control weeds.

26. Use the cool weather to restart the cultivation of underground or container-grown herbs.

27. Feed herbs in containers every other week, and feed them once a month when they need to grow.

28. Harvest herbs frequently to maintain new growth.

29. Many citrus fruits are ripening. Use a taste test to determine when they can be eaten.

30. Add new hardy fruits to the landscape; postpone the planting of tropical fruits until spring.

31. Prepare the sandy garden site where organic matter is added.

32. Postpone pruning of deciduous fruit trees to next month, and postpone pruning of citrus to mid-February.

33. Control caterpillars as needed, which is a common cold season pest.

34. Feed the vegetable garden with compost or ordinary fertilizer every 3 to 4 weeks.

35. The feeding time for all fruit trees, shrubs and vines has ended. Feed again in March.

36. The peach tree may begin to bloom, but don't worry. There are many buds in normal fruit setting.

37. Prepare shelters for tropical fruits that are sensitive to cold.

38. Remove fruited banana plants to make room for new shoots.

39. Protect pineapples from freezing temperatures.

40. Use fallen leaves, yard debris, and kitchen garbage to compost.

41. Add the festive poinsettia to the landscape in the pot so that it can be easily removed when it is extremely cold.

42. Fill the falling flower beds with cold season colors; finally it's time for pansy.

43. Keep the poinsettia and Christmas cactus away from the night lights until they develop color.

44. The pruning time for most plants has ended. You can delete out-of-bounds shooting as needed.

45. Cool weather may cause yellowing of cold-sensitive foliage plants. Move them indoors.

46. ​​Trees and shrubs can usually be left without irrigation for several weeks. Water as needed.

47. Add rain gauges to the landscape and track rainfall.

48. Establish watering areas and only water ornamental plants.

49. The feeding time for all trees, shrubs and vines has ended.

50. Fertilize annual flowers every month or use the indicated slow-release fertilizer.

51. Hibiscus midge causes hibiscus buds to fall; control with systemic insecticides.

52. Plant wild flowers and let spring bloom.

53. Remove invasive vines that cover trees and shrubs.

54. Use cool weather to transplant trees and shrubs. Postpone the transplantation of palms until spring.

55. Add new trees, shrubs and ground cover plants to the landscape.

56. Choose drought-tolerant and insect-resistant trees and shrubs.

57. Water the newly planted plants every day for 2 weeks; every 2 or 3 days thereafter, until established.

58. Check and adjust the supports that keep trees and palm trees in an upright position as needed.

59. Keep 2 to 3 inches of mulch above the root systems of trees and shrubs.

60. Replace declining plants with hardy and low-maintenance options.

61. Choose and plant new camellia in bloom to get the desired color.

62. Add a lot of organic matter to sandy or problematic flower beds.

63. Remove the old soil from the container garden and let the new planting have a new start.

64. Turn the compost at least once a month to speed up the process.

66. When the temperature is below 45 degrees, bring the orchid indoors.

67. Develop cold protection strategies for sensitive plants. Keep the lid at hand.

68. Add bird feeders and bird baths to the landscape.

69. Modify the water garden to remove fallen leaves and stems.

70. Repair and repaint bird houses, landscape furniture and fences.

71. Start planting paper white daffodils and amaryllis bulbs as holiday gifts and winter flowers.

72. Choose festive plants for display as early as possible to get the most enjoyment.

73. Give holiday plants a cool, bright place.

74. Christmas cacti often drop their buds when they are brought indoors. Try to replicate outdoor conditions.

75. Move cold-sensitive plants to a warm place.

76. Before bringing the plants indoors, immerse the root ball in water for 5 minutes to repel pests.

77. Replace declining plants with new greenery.

78. Remove yellow leaves of plants affected by cold and provide a warm place.

79. Water when the top soil begins to dry.

80. Check once a month for mites, mealybugs and other pests; wash and control with soapy water.

Tom MacCubbin is an urban gardener at the Cooperative Extension Service Center at the University of Florida. Write to him: Orlando Sentinel, PO Box 2833, Orlando FL 32802. Email: TomMac1996@aol.com. Blog with Tom at OrlandoSentinel.com/tomdigs.